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Rey's Place, Darlinghurst: highlighting Filipino fare

In a city where Asian food is ubiquitous, Filipino food is curiously under-represented. There’s a contemporary offering here, but it’s in the traditional that the food shines.

Sometimes there are venues that just don’t have enough chutzpah to leave you yearning to return, but the sincerity and enthusiasm of those involved make you hope they get it together and lure you back. Rey’s Place is a passion play if there ever was.

Owner Jonathan Bayad – who together with chef Shaun Oligo is hoping to give Sydney modern Filipino food – was concerned that traditional Filipino might be too beige for the local palate. Bayad has great energy on the floor, albeit his restaurateuring nous is a bit raw. The venue itself is a lovely 35-seater with marble table tops, dark wood panelling and a small bar on each floor. It feels more like French bistro wine bar and anything but Filipino.

As with the cuisine itself, there’s a heavy Spanish (and American) influence on the food from its 7000-plus islands. A shortish menu tries to strike a balance of street-food-turned- restaurant-fare, while some dishes maintain their old-school flare.

Whitebait are clumped together, battered and fried. Zucchini flowers are filled with okra, eggplant and pumpkin. Starters are more like bar snacks too, there’s an obligatory slider – pork belly with adobo aioli chilli on bun, fried chicken wings stuffed with chicken adobo mousse and a more composed dish of King Salmon ceviche. Served with coconut quinoa and avocado salsa, the ceviche combinations are right, but the fish is cured far too long and eats like cubes of candy.

A turn to the more traditional, kare-kare (Filipino stew), is beautifully braised oxtail wading in a subtle peanut sauce and partnered with shrimp paste- glazed Japanese eggplants and blanched bok choy. There’s lechon (suckling pig), and squid stuffed with chorizo paella. I’d like to see more traditional dishes, and fewer attempts to appease the masses. Of all the cuisines in Sydney, we could do with more Filipino.

Comments

Google reviews

Google reviews4.3

barbra hickman

2 weeks ago

First off Amazing Food but you can have top class food and no personality or experience. This place has the whole package, food, great vibe, choice of sparkling water without a big bottle price, I liked that touch, actually that's what this place has, lots of touches. The cocktail was delicious too

Christian Ringon

2 weeks ago

Good little spot for some authentic Filipino food. Drinks were great, staff were super friendly! Would definitely go again!

Shannon Gallegos

3 months ago

This place exceeded our expectations. Small, intimate and cozy. It’s not the Filo restaurant you’re expecting. It’s the best kind of modern twist. We got the $30 all you can eat BBQ and 100% got our money’s worth! Service was amazing - the waitress and Owner, Jonathon, were so hospitable and friendly. Will definitely be back.

Ke Ye

2 months ago

Filipino fusion cuisine. Great service. Drinks need to be served a bit quicker though. Busy place so it’s better to book. My fave the lechon (photo attached)

Heidi Galvez

a month ago

Food is great and brilliant food presentation. Staff are very friendly. I am from Tasmania and i am definitely coming back!

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